Blood compatibility of heparinized polyurethanes

Abstract

Heparin - immobilized polyurethane (HI-PU) catheters implanted in canine femoral and jugular veins for one hour periods exhibited significant reduction in thrombus formation compared with untreated PU contralateral controls. PU catheters coated with a 9% heparin dispersion in PU, capable of releasing active heparin for several hours, provided even greater improvement in antithrombogenicity. Both types of heparinized surface displayed reduced platelet aggregation and fibrin formation, although platelet adhesion was somewhat higher on the HI material than on the heparin-releasing (HR) surface.